Get ready for a coaching shake-up that’s turning heads in college football: Florida State is bringing back a familiar face to lead its cornerbacks. According to Noles247, the Seminoles are set to hire Brandon Harris, a rising star in the coaching world, to take the reins of their cornerback room. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Harris isn’t just any coach—he’s a former NFL player with deep ties to Florida’s football legacy.
Harris is making the move from UCF, where he served as the Knights’ cornerbacks coach in 2025, to return to Tallahassee. This isn’t his first stint at FSU; he was part of head coach Mike Norvell’s inaugural staff in 2020 as an analyst. And this is the part most people miss: Harris is the younger brother of FSU’s current wide receivers coach, Tim Harris Jr., and both are sons of legendary South Florida high school football coach Tim 'Ice' Harris. Talk about a football dynasty!
Earlier this week, Harris was named to the prestigious 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class, a program designed to groom the next generation of coaching leaders. Before his time at UCF, he made waves as the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at FAU from 2022 to 2024.
But let’s not forget his playing days: Harris was a standout at the University of Miami from 2008 to 2010, earning a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2011. He went on to play six seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins.
Here’s the controversial question: Can a coach with such a strong playing background truly translate that success to the sidelines? Harris’s journey from NFL player to rising coaching star is impressive, but the transition isn’t always seamless. What do you think—does his experience on the field give him an edge, or is coaching a whole different ballgame? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
